Tuesday, September 27, 2005

In May of 2002 I went on a missions trip to Mexico with Northland. I don't know if you know this but Northland has a Bible college in Mexcio. When you gradute from the University of the Americas you are also a Northland graduate. This is one place that we went on our trip. It was great to meet young adults in another country studying the same thing we were studying. I met some great people too. One of which I still keep in contact with. We email every few months and talk about what things have changed since we last say each other. The picture below is Karina.

Those of you who have a chance to go on a missions trip I highly encourage it. If you are in the Twin Cities area and are interested in going to India next summer let me know.

Update: Surgery will be October 10th. My mom will be flying in to be with me during and after the surgery. My sister is also taking the time off from work as well.

I have come to a decision to have weight loss surgery. This probably seems like a very public place to announce this but I have many reasons. Some people who read this are far away and I only see every once in awhile, which might make it easier to not tell. But will lead to more questions down the road.

I have been struggling with the fact that many people see weight loss surgery as the easy way out. I also thought that for a long time that is why I have never looked into this before. I went to a seminar in August the day my parents came to visit. After this seminar I was convinced that weight loss surgery is not easy at all. In all actuality it is a very difficult process. This procedure is a tool to help me in my struggle against obesity.

So it is out, and I feel better. I do not have to be ashamed that I am taking control of my weight. I see this as a gift from God. He has given me a good job and wonderful insurance that is paying for most of the surgery. I am thankful that the Lord has allowed this to happen.

I would appreciate your prayers as I move closer to my surgery date. This will be hard and I will need help so I am counting on my friends and the Lord to help me through and stay the course. I welcome any questions or concerns you may have. I am open to talking on a one on one basis as well. But I have made my decision and it is a personal one so please do not try and talk me out of this. I really do appreciate your prayers.

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Dennis and Mistin have had Quimby for almost 6 weeks now. She is growing a ton and is so much more alert now than she was the last time I took pictures of her. At last count she was 11 pounds. Please continue to pray for Dennis and Mistin. There is a big chance that Quimby will be going back to her mom in the near future. I know they already love her very much and it will be hard to part with her. I will keep you posted.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

My sister feels I have jumped on the band wagon now that I have 3 Red Sox t-shirts and a new baseball cap. I asked her where she was all those years when I watched every single baseball game the Mets played. I say I am trying to like something my sister likes. Lydia is a huge fan every since the beginning of last season. She watched every single World Series game. In the first game she predicted that they would win the Series by sweeping the first four games. And that's what they did. I had a Red Sox Baseball Birthday for her.

I got her tickets to see the Red Sox play the Twins.

Even though they lost big time to the Minnesota Twins the night I went I had a blast. I also got to see the Kurt Schilling. He didn't pitch at all that series but it was awesome to see him. I know this isn't the best picture of all time.

I already have the seats picked out for next year and I can't wait to head to the stadium with my sister again.

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

'The Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have begun thinking less of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at heaven and you get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you get neither' - CS Lewis

Curt and Sarah came for a visit this weekend bringing their bundle of joy Megan. We had a wonderful time of fellowship with David, Natanya, and the boys on Saturday night. O' and I can't forget Karrin.

We also learned a funny thing on Sunday at church, Sarah use to date Paul Fuller's brother. Some people might think this a little embarrassing especially since Sarah is at church with her husband (not Paul's brother) and their new daughter. I think Paul managed to let the whole church know this little tidbit. All in all it was a great time and I am glad they finally made it home safely after a small tire problem.

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Here are some of my favorite pictures from my adventures when Karyn came to visit me for the first time ever. I have been here for over two years but now praise the Lord Karyn has a good car and could come and visit. Hopefully, next time all those other people will be able to come too. Maybe they will talk to their parents ahead of time, especially since we have had these plans since Fourth of July. We did a whole lot of fun things that weekend and I can't wait until I am able to head back to Rockford for a visit. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

There is a saying in this wonderful state I live in, “Minnesota Nice.” However, I have lived here for two and a half years and I have never experienced this wonderful phenomenon. I drive on one of the many majors highways here in the cities. Every single day without fail I am cutoff by a crazy driver on their cell phone. And don’t get me started on the people and their lack of merging skills. I am convinced that all of the traffic problems in this city happen because Minnesotans can not merge.

On top of that people are very rude here. When I brought this saying up to a true Minnesotan she said that indeed it is a true statement. I am convinced however that people in Minnesota are not nice, but that could be because I am from the South, where they kill you with kindness.

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Every Wednesday night this summer we have had our own version of a Kids Club. It has been great fun. We have learned some new songs and gone over Bible stories. The two coolest things however are the great number of Bible verese everyone has learned as well as the many prayer requests that have been answered this summer. Here is the great group of kids we had this summer.

I went to the Minnesota State Fair on Tuesday. It was our last small group activity before Josh and Katie move to Colorado. I am very sad to see them go but I am excited for how the Lord is going to use them in the ministry.

Levi is working on potty training so there were many times we stopped for him. This is the first time and I decided to try and capture a picture of Uri in my sunglasses. He is a little more camera shy than his brother so all he wanted to do was eat the glasses for the camera.

Jason really loved the Swine Barn. He and Josh had a great old time petting almost every pig they came across. Katie said he tried to kiss the cows in the Moo Barn but I didn't have my camera for that one. It would have been a great picture though.

All in all it was a great time at the Great Minnesota Get Together. If you have a chance try the Fry Bread at the stand by the Moo Barn. It is great stuff!!